Want to host the Olympics? 'Ya gotta be pretty, and rich"

After our class discussion on the Olympic bidding process, I had a conversation with a friend about all of the information that is taken into account: the years, money, and planning on even asking to be a host city. She said to me "well, I guess ya gotta be pretty, and rich or you ain't gettin" and she went on to speak of the commercialization our world has moved to, and the manifestation of money/power in athletics. I found it really hard to believe, as she is a younger, less educated student- especially in sports (she's an education major).

But after discussing this information with her, I was even more interested in the concept of planning for an entire Olympic event. A lot of different factors have to be considered some of those are climate, culture, location, finance, touristic appeal, and costs. It's a huge decision for a nation to consider, and especially actually attempt to host the Olympics, because it costs so much money and takes so much time. For this reason, it makes sense that some cities have hosted the games multiple times. Some of these include London, Lake Placid, Paris and Athens.

 I think I would enjoy working for the IOC, because I really enjoy and thrive at sports planning. However, I would also have a lot of anxiety because of the distance in time between each games. I don't know if I can wait that long in seeing the results of my work. Definitely want to attend an Olympic game, preferably summer- but want to experience both at some point! London 2012 would be amazing!!

My Ontology

According to class notes, ontology means one's 'world view.'
So to reflect upon this, I would like to present my ontology.

Growing up an Ohio native, I was lucky enough to experience some means of travel in my younger years. I played various sports competitively on travel teams, and this lead to my extended visits to multiple U.S. states. These include Kansas, Florida, Indiana, and Maryland. All of which I competed in fast pitch world series events. However, even with being able to view more of my home country, I wasn't very aware that too much of the world existed outside of the states, specifically Ohio. Everywhere I visited was very different to what I called home, this includes some of the sporting events I participated in. Some styles of play varied, 'type' of players, and also size of players.
I vividly remember at time we competed against the ICE, a fast pitch team from central Canada.
They were HUGE. Being in an international competition, it was very stressed to keep a positive and social atmosphere around the games. So speaking with our rival team, we learned they all had grown up playing hockey. Which explained their stature at a mere 14 years old, compared to our lacking physical presence. 

This is my biggest wake up call to my somewhat lacking world views in previous years. I didn't believe that girls played hockey. The proof was there, because I am pretty sure they run-ruled us in the bottom of the 5th inning 8-0.

I have very much opened my eyes to the big bad world around me since my younger years. From diversity in looks, beliefs, sports, and identities, I have a very open mind and heart to the differences of the world. I would like to though, travel outside of the U.S. and experience a European country and culture, and also an Asian culture. There are very many students I have met from both backgrounds, and I would greatly benefit from seeing the vast differences of the world. I especially would like to see a sports setting in another country. As we have discussed rugby in South Africa, cricket in New Zealand- I feel as if I am missing out until I experience this!

Tiger, Tiger Woods Ya'll

Reflecting on our discussion of famed and idolized athlete Tiger Woods, I find myself still rooting for him. Dr. Spencer, you had mention you felt a bit of tension in fans, particularly males and females perspectives.

I personally have always been a Tiger fan, I knew few other professionals in the game until my high school years when I took up golf as a hobby. Then I actually started to follow golf and learned a lot more names of the game. Tiger was the easiest to relate to, being only a few years older than myself when he won his first championships and generally the face of golf.

He was poised, and truly the 'ideal' professional athlete when it came to PR work. He very much kept his game face separate from his home and family life. Woods was a man of few words, and even with his enthusiasm and character on the  golf course, he never seemed to even tiptoe the line of negativity, as many professional athletes seem to do.

Following the rapid fire spread of his 'escapade in the escalade' scandal, I did lose a lot of respect for Tiger as a person, and a professional athlete. I don't necessarily relate it to being a female, but more of being a sports fan, particularly a golf fan. I followed Tiger's story, idolized his passion for the game, his poise in the limelight, and also his demeanor as a person.

Tiger very much let his fans, his family, and the golf world down. However, after some time to come to grips with his mistake, which by all means he is only human, Tiger admitted to his infidelity and apologized. He knew how big he messed up his career, his family, and his status as a role model.

Now that time has passed, Tiger has seemed to still struggle- his image forever tarnished and what seems to have also hindered his game. Will Tiger ever win again? Well, he has already lost a lot- on and off the course. Do I hate him for his mistakes? No, especially not because I despise him for being ta man making the mistakes. Because let's be honest, infidelity does not only happen with one gender.

As unfortunate as it is, the sports world has lost a titan of the golf game. I am not sure if Tiger will ever return to the role he so long maintained, but I am still in his corner. I don't believe he is the same man he was before, and is not the idol most thought he was. BUT, he is still the athlete who was first noticed as an up and coming phenom at the age of 2. Some respect has been lost for his personal actions, but respect definitely still remains for his contributions to the game of golf.

Cricket? Not just a noise in a midsummer night....

 11 players per team, an oval field, bat & ball, and a wicket?

I had heard of cricket before our class discussion, but I had never really listened when it was brought up before. The objective of the game is to score more runs than the other team. To score a run, the batsman (striker) swings at the pitch hitting in any direction- to give himself and his partner time to cross the crease with the bat or body before the ball is returned. Initially, he must hit the ball to protect the wicket behind him from being struck. The wicket is 3 wooden stumps, which is a target for bowling. For the striker to be 'safe' he must run the length of the pitching area to the wicket which is 22 yards.

 


Okay, as I am reviewing this it all seems confusing once again. It seems very similar to multiple games I am familiar with- but not as simple as what I am used to. I wish Bowling Green Intramurals, or club sports would consider introducing cricket to the campus. I don't think they have before because it isn't popular or even well known in the US. As Dr. Spencer had discussed it is 'the thing' in Australia, New Zeland. I would love to travel there, even just for vacation- but also to experience international sports. Even when Dr. Cho spoke of international sports in Korea, I hadn't really thought how interesting it would be. Cricket in New Zeland, Rugby in South Africa.... really makes me feel like the US is lacking with just the big three: football, basketball, and baseball.

In case you missed it: the Dugan Smith Story!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7093994

Meet the baseball player with the backward leg

Dugan Smith was any average 10 year old boy, going to school, playing baseball and pickup basketball games in the driveway, with big dreams of being a major league pitcher when he grew up.
On a class field trip to the local DQ, Dugan was being pushed in a wheelchair (impaired with a foot cast from a previous sports injury) by a classmate who, as most 10 year old kids would, test the speed of the wheelchair. An uneven sidewalk halted the wheelchair and sent Smith flying into an even bigger injury: a broken leg.
As unfortunate as Dugan's injuries piling up seemed to be, the battle back to being a healthy 10 year old had only begun. When doctors began X-Rays and MRI's to fix the damage to his leg, they discovered a malignant tumor the size of a softball near his femur. As only a fourth grader, diagnosed with bone cancer (osteosarcoma) Dugan's parents had many questions on treatments, recovery etc. Dugan had only one question: If my leg has to be amputated from above the knee, how will I be able to keep playing baseball?
Because of the proximity and severeness of the tumor, doctors at the Ohio State University Medical Center (Smith a big Buckeye fan) and parents opted for a rare, radical procedure to save Dugan's opportunity to continue playing sports. Van Nes roationplasty was established in the 1950s, but only few are performed each year in the U.S.
Rotationplasty procedures are a type of autograft, where a portion of a limb is removed, while remaining portion of limb is rotated and reattached. In Dugan's case, the upper portion of the leg doused with cancer was removed, and the lower portion was rotated and reattached. This means, the ankle joint, becomes the knee joint. This allows the patient, after rigorous therapy and rehabilitation, to have a fully functioning knee- making running and jumping possible.

 Just 2 hours after the grueling 21-hour surgery, Dugan could move his toes. With follow up surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, he missed nearly all of his 5th grade year at school. Now, 13 years old Dugan is back in school, 2-years and counting cancer-free, and rotating between time on the mound and 1st base for his junior high baseball team.

An unbelievable story, but not fiction. I grew up knowing Dugan (his father was my 8th grade history teacher). His story is nothing less than inspiring. He has come so far and leaves me with a quote to live by "Never give up, because 90% of it is in your mind."

Dugan will be featured TONIGHT on ESPN at 8pm on  the program E60.  Be sure to check it out!
 If I can find a clip/link later I will be sure to share!

Woman runs marathon while 39 weeks pregnant?

http://espn.go.com/chicago/olympics/story/_/id/7084374/oh-baby-woman-runs-chicago-marathon-gives-birth

It is a short summary of the article I found, be sure to check it out.

This story seems to me to bring rise to a bit of controversy. Should a woman 39 weeks pregnant be running a marathon? For those of you who aren't aware, a marathon is 26.2 miles.

Amber Miller, a seasoned marathon participant claimed to start feeling contractions shortly after crossing the finish line. Nearly 39 weeks pregnant, Miller was cleared by her doctor to half run-half walk the race. She brought in a time  of 6 hours and 25 minutes, baby and all. When finished she noticed contractions became regular, stopped for a sandiwch and headed to the hospital. Baby girl June, was born around 10:30 pm weighing 7pounds and 13 ounces. Amber Miller was happy but said Sunday was "the longest day of my life."

How do you feel about this situation? Should expecting mothers be "allowed" to participate in such a gruelling athletic competition so close to delivery time?

Funny as it seems, this wasn't even Baby June's first marathon. Amber competed in Wisconsin while 4 months pregnant with her, and once before with her older brother (now 19 months) while he was 4 months in the womb also. Despite the extra weight, Amber finished the race just 3 hours off of her personal best.

According to Miller, the race was the easiest part of her day.